ELLISVILLE – Ron Brewer has a simple goal for the Jones County Junior College offensive line heading into the 2009 season.

“We want to play two different lines,” said Brewer, the fourth-year Bobcat offensive line/tight end coach said. “We want to be able to let one of them rest and put the other one in there. I think we have got the guys who can do this.

“We have a very athletic freshmen and sophomore group. I am going to play my best five and swap in two different lines. I think we have the players that can do that, but they have to come along and get caught up with the speed of the game.”

The Bobcats have some experience returning and have a solid freshmen class ready to contribute to the offensive line.

At left tackle, the Bobcats will go with D’Iberville sophomore Chase Sherman (6-3, 280), along with Heidelberg freshman Jeremy Pierce (6-5, 300).

“Chase started six or seven games last year,” said Brewer. “He is a veteran coming back and he will do well for me, I believe. Experience means a lot right there.

“Jeremy has come into camp and has done very well. He is a big, athletic guy who can move. I’m expecting big things out of him.”

At left guard, JCJC looks for Hattiesburg sophomore Evan Shaw (6-1, 270), Raleigh freshman Eric Thurman (6-3, 280) and Quitman sophomore Cody Tucker (6-5, 315) to battle for playing time.

“Evan played in several games last season,” said Brewer. “He is strong, has good feet and is athletic. He will do a good job there.

“Eric has done well for a freshman and I moved Cody in there to compete. Those three guys will battle for the first two spots.”

At center, the Bobcats will line up with Laurel sophomore Darrell Leopold (6-3, 300), along with Enterprise freshman Caleb McGruder (6-3, 300)

“Darrell is a veteran,” said Brewer. “He played center and guard for me last year. He came in last year as a center, but I needed to play him at left guard and he wound up starting for me there. He stepped in and did a great job last year, so I’m expecting great things out of him this year.

“Caleb is another big, athletic kid. He is pushing Leopold right now and we are expecting big things out of him.”

At right guard, Jones will go with Northeast Jones sophomore Preston Cochran (6-3, 290) and Sylva-Bay Academy freshman Kody Wallace (6-2, 270). Tucker also has the ability to play at right guard, as well.

“Preston played in several games as a freshman last year,” said Brewer. “So, he has some experience coming back. He had a good spring, came back and worked real hard all summer. I think he will do well.

“Kody has a little ways to go, but he will be OK. He needs to get a little bigger, but I think he will be all right.”

At the right tackle slot, Laurel freshman Brandon Bender (6-3, 270) has been solid in the preseason, along with Desoto Central freshman Michael Curry (6-3, 300) and Bay Springs walk-on freshman Chris Jamison (6-4, 400).

“Brandon is very athletic,” said Brewer. “He is a pretty good player. He is aggressive and is going to do well. Michael is a big kid that can move. He will get a lot of playing time and will wind up doing a good job.

“Chris is a kid with a lot of size and is coming along.”

Brewer has put his troops through a tough preseason practice. But he says the players have responded and they are making the sacrifice to improve.

“We are big and athletic right now,” he said. “We are raw. I’ve got some young guys I am trying to get into the mix, but we are getting better every day.

“One thing about this group this year is that they are not afraid to work hard. They are a good group and they are not scared to work.”

Brewer believes he will be able to play two different lines before it’s over, but the freshmen are going to have to grow up quickly in order for that to happen.

“The freshmen are trying to get caught up to the speed of the game and they are getting better at each practice,” he said. “It’s slowing down a bit for them a bit. As long as they keep working, they will be OK and right now, their work ethic is great.

“They also have a lot of ‘want to’ about them. They ‘want to’ do well.”

JCJC, ranked No. 14 in the NJCAA/JCfootball.com preseason poll, opens the season at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, at Itawamba Community College. The game can be heard on HYPERLINK "http://www.jcjc.edu" www.jcjc.edu and on WGDQ-FM, 93.1, with Lance Pittman calling the play-by-play and Mark Easley providing color commentary. The pregame show begins at 6:30 p.m.